Play Library » Children’s Books (0 to 5 yrs)

Pooh Fans~Check Out The New Winnie The Pooh

Linette Gerlach — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:59:54 +0000

I was a huge Winnie The Pooh fan growing up. I still have one of my Pooh dolls, of course his original outfit is long gone, and he’s been well loved but he’s still holding together. I was excited to see there’s a new Winnie The Pooh book coming out October 5th from Dutton Children’s Books.

The book titled “Return to the Hundred Acre Wood,” will be the first authorized sequel to A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh and The House At Pooh Corner in more than 80 years. This is the first glimpse readers will have of the new book, which was announced in January 2009. The manuscript has been under lock and key, but the first chapter is now available to read at Penguin’s Pooh website.

I’m sure Winnie the Pooh fans of all ages will be excited to check out “Return to the Hundred Acre Wood.” The book will be available on October 5th at most major bookstores, and online at Amazon.com. Bookstores nationwide have created “Pooh-tiques”, dedicated spaces for Winnie-the-Pooh and friends, check your local bookstore to see if they’ll be having any special Pooh festivities.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Play Library

Go On Vacation With The Berenstain Bears

Linette Gerlach — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:11:01 +0000

I remember reading about the Berenstain Bears when I was growing up, and reading them to my son when he was younger. He still has a couple of the Berenstain Bears books, and picks them up once in a while to re-read the stories, even though he’s on to chapter books these days.

It’s fun to learn that many of the Berenstain Bears stories are based on real life experiences. Since we just got back from a beach vacation, I was extra interested in the story behind The Berenstain Bears Go On Vacation. The book was based on the Berenstain’s real life summer vacation to the Jersey Shores.

You can check out a video of the story behind the story, at this weeks Barnes and Noble Back Stories. The video shows how the Berenstains used real life pictures and videos to create the stories for their books.

Image via Barnes and Noble

Post from: Play Library

Where The Wild Things Are Movie

Linette Gerlach — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:45:36 +0000

I’ve heard a ton of buzz lately about the Where The Wild Things Are movie coming out this fall (it actually premieres October 16th). I’m a huge fan of the Where The Wild Things Are book by Maurice Sendak. I can still remember the first time I heard the story at our school library when the librarian read it to the class.

We have a copy of the book in our personal library, and I’ve read it many times to my son. It was one of his favorite stories growing up. I think he has a secret mission to be the king of the wild things himself.

If you’re not familiar with the story, a little boy named Max is sent to bed without his supper after disobeying his mother. Max then journeys to the world of the wild things where he becomes the king of the beasts.

I had to check out the Wild Thing movie trailer that’s been getting all the buzz lately.

What do you think? Will the movie be as great as the book?

Image via Amazon.com

Post from: Play Library

Good Egg Winner

Linette Gerlach — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:18:20 +0000

We have our winner for Good Egg. I want to say a big thank you to our sponsor, and thank you to everyone who participated.

The winner was selected by Random.org. Congratulations to the winning comment from Darline who said:

“My 2 year old Ryleigh would love this. She loves book.”

I will be contacting all the winner shortly (probably tomorrow), and they’ll have three days to get back to me, or I’ll have to select another winner.

Thanks again to everyone who participated! Watch for more great giveaways coming up in the next couple weeks.

Post from: Play Library

Enter To Win A Copy of Good Egg

Linette Gerlach — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:51:10 +0000

Last week I mentioned we might have a copy of Good Egg to give out to a lucky Play Library reader.

Good Egg is a really cute new interactive pop up book coming out in April. If you missed my original post about Good Egg hop over and check it out.

How can you win a copy of this adorable book?

Leave a comment on the special little person or people in your life who would enjoy this book. One comment per person.

Sorry, but this contest is open to US residents only.

You may earn an additional entry by Twittering about this contest (if you could include @Linetteg in your Twitter it would help me find it), and/or leave a separate comment with your Twitter ID, so I can confirm your Tweet.

The contest will run until midnight EST on April 3rd. I’ll draw the winners shortly after that. I’ll announce the names here, I will also email the winners. They will have 3 days to get back to me, before another winner is chosen.

I’m not sure the prize will arrive before Easter, but this is a really fun book for Spring, even if it doesn’t make it in the Easter Bunnies basket!

Good Luck!

Post from: Play Library

The Good Egg

Linette Gerlach — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:59:25 +0000

If you’re looking for a really cute Spring or Easter book for your toddler or preschooler check out GOOD EGG, by Barney Saltzberg GOOD EGG invites young kids to play an active role in the adventures of an endearing little egg.

I think it’s an adorable book. I read it to a kindergarten class and they loved it. Check out the author, Barney reading the book to a class. I love the children’s interaction with the book.

GOOD EGG will be available in April just in time to make an adorable addition to Easter baskets. Stay tuned, I think we’re going to have a couple copies to giveaway here at Play Library in the upcoming weeks!

Post from: Play Library

Melissa and Doug Magnetic Puzzle Books – Educational and Fun

Susan Gunelius — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:16:21 +0000

My triplets received the Melissa and Doug Magnetic Puzzle Books – both the ABCs book and the Animals book, as gifts for their second Christmas. As you’d expect with any Melissa and Doug toy, these books are well made and perfect for children to grow into.

Now, more than two years later, my kids still use these books all the time. Of course, now they can identify all the letters, pictures and animals, but they’ve been learning since the first day they opened these books. Each page of these books includes a number of objects or animals that children can remove as puzzle pieces. Initially, my children just enjoyed the colorful pictures and I would say the words and letters to them. Now, they remove the pieces and do the puzzles themselves, but they have yet to get bored with these books.

I found both books for sale as a set through Sensational Beginnings for just $29.95. I have to say, I think these magnetic puzzle books are worth every penny!

Have your children used the Melissa and Doug Magnetic Puzzle Books? What did you and your kids think of them?

Image: SensationalBeginnings.com

Tags: Sensational Beginnings, Melissa and Doug, magnetic puzzle books, Melissa and Doug Magnetic Puzzle Books, educational toys, preschool toys, toddler toys

Post from: Play Library

Good Night Our World Books – Educational and Fun

Susan Gunelius — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:46:53 +0000

My husband takes our triplets to the library every week. The kids love it, and we discover a lot of cool books that way. For example, we found the Good Night Our World book series from our local library.

If you’re not familiar with the Good Night Our World series, it currently includes 33 titles each dedicated to a different city, state or area. The books are all set up the same, with children saying good night to various landmarks, animals and more related to the location in the title. For example, the “Good Night Florida” book says good night to the beach, Kennedy Space Center, etc. The “Good Night New York City” books says good night to the Statue of Liberty and more.

My kids are only 3, so they don’t completely understand all of the landmarks and so on that are including in the books, but I love that they’re being introduced to various parts of the world. I’m sure that older children would really enjoy these books as well, and they could probably learn so much from the Good Night Our World series.

Have you read these books with your children? What age are your kids and what did they think of the books?

Post from: Play Library

One Book Two Book Talks About a Controversial Kids Book

Julie Bonner — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:38:15 +0000

Have you heard of the book The Rainbow Fish? I have and we own a copy. I’ve read it to my children many times.

Kelly over at One Book Two Book, was browsing at Amazon looking at the reviews of this book and you have to go read what she found. This book has sparked a lot of controversy. Are you curious yet? I know I was.

Head on over and read her post: Rainbow Fish Makes a Comeback at Our House. The comments blew me away!

Post from: Play Library

Magic Treehouse Book Series

Kerri Aldrich — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:34:15 +0000

Have you been introduced to Jack and Annie and their Magic Tree House? The Magic Tree House series, written by Mary Pope Osborne, is one that my daughter was introduced to last year. The series follows Jack and Annie, siblings, who find themselves on a variety of adventures through different times and destinations, beginning and ending at the Magic Tree House.

In addition to the series itself, there are Research Guides that include additional facts to the times, places, and situations that Jack and Annie have experienced. My daughter enjoys these as well, but the Twisters and Other Terrible Storms did have her a bit freaked out and watchful of storms for a few weeks!

Post from: Play Library